A Tip to Overcoming Anxiety by Rabbi Dr. Abraham J. Twerski

I could definitely relate to this story told by Rabbi Twerski about “morbid expectations” which I read recently in Binah, and thought this tip might be helpful to other anxious JewishMOMs too….

It is difficult to be happy if one is subject to fear and anxiety.

There are some people who experience “morbid expectations.” For no apparent reason, they anticipate something terrible is going to happen. A telephone ring precipitates anxiety.

I know, because I was one of them.

My secretary knew that when I was in session with a client, I was not to be interrupted unless it was an emergency. When the telephone rang in my office during a session, and my secretary said, “It’s your daughter-in-law,” I froze. When my daughter-in-law got through she said, “Mazal tov!” and informed me that I had another grandchild.

I decided that this had gone far enough. The call was wonderful news, yet I had expected the worst. I had to do something, but what?

I came across the verse in Psalms (112:7) “Of evil tidings he will have no fear; his heart is firm, confident in Hashem.” מִשְּׁמוּעָה רָעָה, לֹא יִירָא; נָכוֹן לִבּוֹ, בָּטֻחַ בַּיהוָה

I decided to say this chapter every day, praying for Hashem to strengthen my trust in Him.

It has worked wonders, and I strongly urge people to pray for trust in Hashem. We pray for all our other needs; bitachon is no less a vital need.

2 comments

I have been fighting anxiety my entire life. And bitachon has always been where I turn! I’ve been rereading and rereading this book called “Trust Me”. I read a tiny chapter every night and it’s great. It really helps to ingrain these trust topics in my mind. Whenever I’m scared of something, if someone just mentions Hashem, I completely relax, remembering that He is in charge of everything.

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